H.R. 1164 – the Taylor Force Act – recently passed the House of Representatives thereby restricting the U.S. from providing assistance to the Palestinian Authority (PA) until it ceases to subsidize terrorists through its “pay to slay” policies. Rep. Paul Cook (R-8th District-Apple Valley) joined his fellow House members in unanimously passing the bill.

H.R. 1164 is named for Taylor Force, an American U.S. Army veteran, Eagle Scout, West Point graduate, Iraq and Afghanistan veteran. Force was brutally murdered by a Palestinian terrorist during an educational tour in Israel in March 2016. The Taylor Force Act is in response to the Palestinian practice of rewarding terrorists with payments for committing violent acts of terror. The bill specifically halts nearly all economic aid from the U.S. to the West Bank and Gaza that directly benefits the Palestinian Authority.

“We must stop providing funding to the PA when they’re financing and rewarding terrorism on a daily basis,” said Rep. Cook. “Taylor Force is one of many innocent victims murdered as a result of this horrific practice. This critical legislation sends a clear message to the PA that it’s tie to stop subsidizing terrorists and murderers.”

The withholding of U.S. assistance will not affect humanitarian aid to the region. Exceptions to withholding funds to the PA would include, by certification by the U.S. Secretary of State, that the PA: is taking steps to end acts of violence against Israelis and Americans; terminates payments for acts of terrorism against Israelis and Americans; revokes or invalidates the laws authorizing or implementing compensation for acts of violence; and, is publicly condemning acts of violence and takings steps to investigate these acts.

Rep. Paul Cook is Yucaipa’s U.S. Congressman and is a member of the House Natural Resources, Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. A former U.S. Marine, he was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts during his time in combat.